Everards Printing Works regeneration plans reach public consultation stage

A public consultation has been launched to allow locals to have their say about the proposed Everards Printing Works regeneration, labelled by its architect as a “positive project which will have a great impact on the whole city”.

A four-star hotel with 250 bedrooms, conference facilities, 23 one bedroom and studio apartments, six serviced apartments and co-working spaces make up the redevelopment plans, led by Artisan Real Estate Investors and Bristol-based architects Alec French.

The developers hope the plans for a mixed hotel, leisure and residential quarter will rejuvenate Broad Street, one of Bristol’s oldest areas. Plans include the development of a mix of old and new buildings including the Natwest Court building, 35-36 Broad Street and Everards Printing Works, with its Grade II* listed Art Nouveau facade.

The area of Broad Street that could be redeveloped, with the facade of Everards Printing Works to the right

Robin Gray, director at Alec French, told Bristol24/7 that the project will “invigorate the surrounding area” and “will bring jobs to the area and homes to the city centre”. The plans are currently in their public consultation phase, with Gray stating that previous consultations with local businesses, stakeholders and Bristol City Council had displayed “overwhelming support for the project”.

The mood on the street on the first day of the public consultation was less supportive. While recognising that “an empty building benefits nobody”, Eddie Clarke, who works in Resbite Cafe opposite Everards Printing Works, pointed to Bristol’s current affordable housing crisis in his opposition to the hotel aspect of the development. “It’s pandering to tourists and not to the people of Bristol,” he said.

Eddie’s co-worker Rita agreed: “I would have preferred them to rehouse people living on the streets as everyone should have a roof over their heads.”

The facade of the Everards Printing Works will become the entrance of a new hotel under the redevelopment plans

On the housing component of the scheme, Robin Gray said: “We are providing residential accommodation within the scheme. It is below some of the thresholds for affordable housing but we have had various discussions with Bristol City Council and we will continue to have those discussions until the final proposal”.

When asked whether she could see the redevelopment benefiting local businesses, Rita replied: “I hope they aren’t going to close Broad Street. It will make things very difficult when we have a delivery, and this has gone on for months and months before.”

Addressing potential barriers to the project being granted planning permission after submission in September, Gray said: “Issues surround transport, deliveries and operations, but we are fairly confident with the team we have put together that we are going to be able to successfully address all of those issues.”

Plans for the new four star hotel that would front onto Broad Street

Speaking about the challenges of redeveloping such a historically significant area, Gray stressed that the project is “absolutely retaining the three listed buildings on Broad Street by bringing them back into use”. The facade of Everard’s Printing Works will be repurposed as the entrance to the new hotel, which the architects hope will bring people to the area and allow them to experience one of Bristol’s lesser-known Old City gems.

The public consultation period will run until August 10, after which a planning application will be submitted to Bristol City Council. Have your say on the plans by completing an online form: www.everardsprintingworks.com/event